Calgary Flames Preview

Departures
Mike Cammalleri, Adrian Aucoin, Rhett Warrener, Jordan Leopold, Jim Vandermeer, Todd Bertuzzi, Andre Roy, Wayne Primeau

Arrivals
Jay Bouwmeester, Nigel Dawes, Fredrik Sjostrom, Brandon Prust, Staffan Kronwall, Anton Stralman, Brian McGrattan

Forwards
With 39-goal man Mike Cammalleri off to Montreal, the offense will need a major bounce back season from Captain Jarome Iginla, who’s goal output dropped from 50 to 35 last season. Along side Iginla will be last season’s prized trade deadline acquisition Olli Jokinen, who should improve upon his usual regular season numbers now that he’ll be centering a legitimate superstar in Iginla. Newly acquired Nigel Dawes should be placed into a more prominent role on this Flames team who will seemingly need help scoring goals this season. Mikael Backlund, who got his feet wet once in last season’s playoffs, will be looking to snag a center spot from one of the already established centers on the team.

Defenseman
With the acquisition of Bouwmeester, a resurgent year from Dion Phaneuf, and healthy seasons from the usual stalwarts Robyn Regehr and Cory Sarich, the Flames defense could compete for one of the most balanced defensive corps in the league. Youngsters Staffan Kronwall and Anton Stralman, both acquired from Toronto, will challenge Mark Giordano and Adam Pardy for the fifth and sixth spots on the team.

Goalies
Most of the workload will fall onto Miikka Kriprusoff’s shoulders once again this season. Last year, Kiprusoff tied his own team record for most games played in a season with 76, as backup Curtis McElhinney starting the other six, with minimal success. With the Flames wanting Kiprusoff to start less games in order to keep him more fresh for the playoffs, third string goalie Leland Irving, who has had a very successful start to his career, could be brought in to backup Kiprusoff if McElhinney falters again.

Strengths
- The leadership of Jarome Iginla could be un-matched throughout the entire league. When the Flames went to the finals in ‘03/’04, Iginla carried the team on his back, and if he can return to his form from two seasons ago, they will be successful this year

- The top four defense of Bouwmeester, Phaneuf, Regehr, and Sarich all have a wealth of experience in the NHL and will play big minutes every night. With the addition of Bouwmeester, Phaneuf should have a bounce back year, as some of the pressure will be lifted off his shoulders.

– Miikka Kiprusoff is an elite goaltender, and that shouldn’t change this year. He has continually set the bar higher and higher in past seasons, going from 39 wins in ‘07/’08 to 43 in ‘08/’09. With an improved defence, he should win 40 games once again this year.

Weaknesses
- If Iginla or Jokinen falter, the same old story exists for the Flames. Who will score goals?…Langkow? Conroy? Sjostrom? Dawes? MCGRATTAN? ….not freakin’ likely.

- If Kiprusoff gets hurt, the Flames may be hard pressed to find another goalie, as they will be very close to the salary cap once again this season. This could lead to a long season for the Flames and their fans, as both their backup goalies are very, very inexperienced.

Analysis
Overall, the Flames should have another successful season. If the saying is true that championships are built from the net out, they definitely fit the mold. The playoffs are much in order with another strong season from Miikka Kiprusoff, strong chemistry between Dion Phaneuf and Jay Bouwmeester, and a balanced scoring attack lead full bore by Jarome Iginla. .

Prediction: 5th in the West